as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fall back
The president could fall back on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days on imports from countries with large trade surpluses, or Section 301 of the same law, which allows tariffs in response to unfair trade practices.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This put the rocket on a trajectory to soar to a peak altitude of 119 miles (192 kilometers), passing over the Atlantic Ocean, South Africa, and then the Indian Ocean before falling back into the atmosphere.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Deep down, believers in two states, confronted with all reasons to surrender their faith, fall back on a single argument: there is no realistic alternative.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
This put the rocket on a trajectory to soar to a peak altitude of 119 miles (192 kilometers), passing over the Atlantic Ocean, South Africa, and then the Indian Ocean before falling back into the atmosphere.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
Deep down, believers in two states, confronted with all reasons to surrender their faith, fall back on a single argument: there is no realistic alternative.
—Hussein Agha, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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Duncan even contemplated mounting a third-party challenge to Trump as a No Labels candidate last year before withdrawing his name from consideration.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Biden administration had weighed withdrawing antitrust immunity for the joint venture, which began in 2016.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And if the Fed ends up cutting fewer times than traders expect, including three this year, the market could retreat in disappointment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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One deputy retreated while two of them fired their guns, hitting Williams and Lane, authorities said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some backups go through every tiny detail of the pre and at-snap routine, even dropping back with a ball in their hand but stopping short of throwing it.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Denver’s late fourth-quarter play-call was the most obvious head-scratcher of any decision against the Titans, as Nix dropped back and fired off an incomplete go-ball to Marvin Mims on a fourth-and-eight with a minute left.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Surveillance video shows Cobos-Martinez leaving the motel room, pulling out a machete and attacking Nagamallaiah.—
Nic F. Anderson,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Facing a third-and-25 after a big penalty, Keller pulled out the tricks with a throwback pass from Brock Meek to Burkett, who rumbled 48 yards to the Texans’ 2-yard line.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Maxwell pitched a scoreless, and then Connor Phillips, a relative veteran with 18 big-league appearances on his resume, worked around a walk to retire the top of the Padres’ order and earned the win following Tyler Stephenson’s homer.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Rutherford, who retired in 2021 but previously worked with Barth on certain programs, said Barth’s expertise was particularly useful in dealing with challenges that most people don’t fully consider.—
Nathan Ansell,
Arkansas Online,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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